Miami Marlins: 3 things Kim Ng should do at the trade deadline that would make her a deadline Hero

The Miami Marlins are on the cusp of making the playoffs and in order to get there they will need to be active at the trade deadline.  The Marlins have several pieces they can add and trade for and with the right combination of trade deals they will be well on their way to the playoffs.   If the recent sweep of the team by the Orioles tells fish faithful anything, it’s that we need to add to this teams strength. 

One of the biggest things that has impacted the Miami Marlins this season is lack of offensive production.   The offensive production is not for lack of hits but rather lack of hits with runners on base. The first thing that needs to be addressed by General Manager Kim Ng is this very issue.  The Marlins have a lot of hits and it would be a great transformation to the roster to add one guy to drive in the many runners left stranded on base.

The league has become an offensive league and good pitching is harder than ever to come by, so the Marlins need to cash in on a big bat to anchor the lineup.  The second issue that needs to be addressed is bad free agent signings and the last is pitching.   Those two will go hand in hand without a doubt and if they can be fixed, the sky is the limit for the Miami Marlins.

Issue 1 - A big bat

The Miami Marlins have had a revolving door hitting at the 3 hole and 4 hole this season, positions that should be very consistent on any playoff team.  Unlike other playoff teams who are looking for more depth that lines up hitters in every spot of the lineup, the Marlins need a middle of the lineup.   

On no other playoff team would Bryan De La Cruz, Jesus Sanchez, or Garrett Cooper hit in the 3 or 4 position in the lineup.  Not that all three aren’t useful or better than average at their positions but more so that they don’t have the impact numbers to fill that position.  Certainly if Jazz Chisholm comes back and stays the 3 spot is filled but that still leaves one more spot to fill at cleanup.  

If Kim Ng can trade for a true power hitter that will have a big impact on the lineup the Marlins will be hard to beat.  On the short list of desirables that will be very difficult to acquire are Cardinals Paul Goldschmidt or Nolan Gorman, Padres Juan Soto, and Nationals Lane Thomas. Two of those names are very high profile and would make a huge splash to the fan base saying we are committed to contending, however the other two are more realistic and still very good options.  Adding Gorman (18 home runs), Thomas (14), Goldschmidt (16), or Soto (16) would make any of those players the second highest home run hitter on the team.

Issue 3 - A starting pitcher

If Eury Perez will be severely limited for the rest of the season the Miami Marlins need to add another starter and it doesn’t have to be very flashy.  If the Marlins can add a starter that will be serviceable for the rest of the season that would be enough and the Cardinals are a great match for that, but even more so if they can add a big starter that will transform their team.  

If the Marlins can trade either Cueto or Segura or both, they would have room to trade for a bigger name starter and Blake Snell would be a great fit.  Snell has the resume to be a top tier starter and can be utilized in the playoffs and he would upgrade the Marlins already amazing rotation.  

Since the rotation is amazing someone as simple as Jack Flaherty who is a free agent next season would fit the bill.  He would be the fill in until the Marlins can use Eury every day.  He is streaky but has pitched at least 6 innings each start and that’s what the Marlins need. He will eat innings and get the Marlins, their worn out bullpen, and Eury Perez to the playoffs.